Interview about Resistance is Life Ring, winner of the A' Jewelry Design Award 2024
This ring draws inspiration from the tenacious struggles of Kurdish women in their pursuit of freedom. Embodying the powerful slogan, Resistance is life, it serves as a reminder to individuals to persist in the face of life's adversities. The profound symbolism extends to nature, mirroring the resilience of purple flowers that courageously emerge through the snowy landscapes of the Kurdistan mountains, persistently thriving amidst challenging conditions. The design encapsulates a narrative of strength, echoing the indomitable spirit reflected in the lives of women.
View detailed images, specifications, and award details on A' Design Award & Competition website.
View Design DetailsThe Resistance is Life ring embodies a deeply personal and emotional journey that began when I was a teenager, witnessing the tragic yet resilient struggle of Kurdish women and communities in Kobani against ISIS. This confrontation with loss and resistance resonated profoundly with me, evoking a pain I initially tried to capture through painting and poetry, though neither fully expressed the depth of that experience.One spring day in the Qandil Mountains, I came across purple flowers blooming defiantly through the snow, a powerful natural symbol of resilience and hope. That moment struck me—these flowers embodied the spirit I sought to convey, symbolizing that, even in the harshest conditions, life persists. This motif became the inspiration for the Resistance is Life ring, as I worked to capture that spirit of courage and endurance in every design detail, blending Kurdish cultural symbolism with elements that represent the beauty of defiance and the strength to rise amid adversity.
In the Resistance is Life ring, the metal portion of the design represents the snow surrounding and protecting the delicate flowers—a powerful symbol of resilience in harsh conditions. The gemstone itself is crafted to embody the flower, capturing its vibrant emergence amid adversity. By combining these elements, the ring symbolizes how life and beauty can break through even the most challenging environments, just as these flowers bloom through the snow in the mountains of Kurdistan.
In creating the Resistance is Life ring, we drew inspiration from the natural world—the snow-covered mountains and delicate flowers of Kurdistan. It was essential for us to honor these elements without harming the environment they represent. Mining natural gemstones can cause irreparable environmental damage, so we chose laboratory-created stones to protect and respect nature. This choice aligns deeply with our brand, 4 Sun Jewelry, where environmental awareness and sustainability are foundational values. By incorporating lab-grown stones, we aim not only to preserve the beauty of nature but also to raise awareness about the importance of eco-friendly practices within the jewelry industry.
Creating The Resistance is Life ring involved balancing profound symbolism with everyday practicality. This piece draws deeply from the Kurdish spirit of resilience and the struggle for freedom, encapsulated by the slogan, “Resistance is life.” My approach was to integrate this meaning into a design that is minimalist and durable, allowing wearers to connect with its significance while enjoying it as an accessible, wearable piece.By prioritizing both symbolism and functionality, I aimed to create a ring that serves as a quiet but powerful reminder of cultural identity and history—fitting seamlessly into everyday life while still embodying strength and endurance.
The development of the Resistance is Life ring brought forward several critical design challenges, particularly around balancing its symbolic depth with practical wearability. Initially, the MVP designs were critiqued for being overly heavy and lacking the subtle charisma necessary for a piece meant for daily wear. To address this, I refined the structure by incorporating a hollowed inner section, significantly reducing the weight without compromising the integrity of the design. This adjustment allowed the ring to be both a meaningful symbol and comfortable for everyday use.The stone selection process posed another unique challenge. Given the piece’s nature-inspired theme, I was concerned about the environmental impact of traditional gemstone mining. After extensive research and discussions with environmental experts, I decided to use lab-grown stones as a sustainable alternative. This choice allowed me to maintain the visual appeal and intended symbolism while adhering to eco-conscious practices, aligning the material choices with the piece’s broader message of resilience and hope.
As I mentioned earlier, feedback from the MVP phase revealed that the ring’s weight made it impractical for daily use. Therefore, we sought a solution to reduce its weight without compromising its aesthetic appeal. This led to the innovation of a hollowed inner structure, which allowed the ring to maintain its visual strength while becoming significantly lighter.This technical adjustment not only made the ring more comfortable and accessible for regular wear, but it also added a layer of visual intrigue to the piece. The hollowed design subtly reflects the concept of inner resilience—symbolizing strength that isn’t always visible but is deeply felt. Ultimately, this approach enhanced both the ring’s wearability and its narrative, allowing more people to connect with and comfortably wear a piece that embodies a powerful message of endurance and hope.
The inspiration behind the Resistance is Life Ring is deeply rooted in my personal memories and experiences, particularly from when I was just 17 years old. During that time, I witnessed firsthand the courageous struggles of Kurdish women fighting against ISIS in Kobanî. This was my first encounter with the harsh realities of war and the concept of death in the fight for freedom. These powerful memories shaped the design elements of the ring, particularly in the way it symbolizes resilience, sacrifice, and the indomitable spirit of those who fight for justice.The historical narratives of Kobanî and Halabja were essential in guiding the symbolic elements of the design. The curves and structures of the ring evoke both the strength and fluidity of the human spirit in times of adversity, while the hollow spaces represent the voids left by loss and tragedy. Each detail in the ring reflects the perseverance of the Kurdish women who have fought for their freedom and the lasting impact of their struggle.Furthermore, the Kurdish slogan Resistance is Life is the heart of the design. It speaks to the fundamental belief of the Kurdish people, that in the face of oppression, resistance is not just a form of survival but a way of living. This powerful message is encapsulated in the ring, making it not only a piece of jewelry but a symbol of defiance, strength, and hope.These personal and historical influences led me to create a piece that not only embodies the resilience of the Kurdish people but also resonates with the broader human experience of resistance and survival.
The Resistance is Life Ring is more than just a piece of jewelry; it is a vehicle for storytelling and cultural preservation. By combining traditional elements of Kurdish heritage with contemporary design techniques, this ring stands as a bridge between the past and the present. The concept of resistance, deeply embedded in the history of the Kurdish people, is not only represented in the visual design but also in the profound message it carries — that in the face of adversity, the will to resist becomes a way of life, a principle passed down through generations.Through this piece, I aim to contribute to the broader conversation about jewelry as a form of cultural expression. Jewelry has always been more than ornamentation; it serves as a means of conveying identity, history, and personal stories. The Resistance is Life Ring embodies this by preserving the memory of the Kurdish struggle, particularly the fight of women against ISIS in Kobanî. This design is a testament to the resilience and courage that define the Kurdish spirit, transforming the ring into a living piece of history.I believe this ring can open up discussions about how contemporary jewelry can serve as a medium for preserving cultural narratives, allowing them to be shared with a global audience. It is my hope that this piece will inspire others to reflect on the role of jewelry as an art form that can communicate deeper meanings and keep cultural stories alive. As an award-winning design, the ring has already sparked conversations, and I envision it continuing to contribute to a larger dialogue about the power of design in fostering cultural understanding and empathy.
The dimensional choices in the Resistance is Life Ring were deeply influenced by the symbolic need to balance strength and fragility. The 12*15 mm oval stone at the center represents the core of resistance—solid, resilient, and enduring. Surrounding it, the four smaller stones symbolize the support of the community and the collective effort of those fighting for freedom. The proportions were carefully chosen to reflect the unity and strength of individuals coming together in the face of adversity. This design visually conveys the idea that resistance, while anchored in individual strength, thrives through solidarity and shared purpose.
The Resistance is Life Ring aims to inspire a shift in the jewelry industry toward deeper cultural storytelling and meaningful design. By merging contemporary aesthetics with powerful historical narratives, I hope this piece encourages other designers to explore the rich heritage of their cultures and incorporate these stories into their work. Jewelry, often seen as an accessory, has the potential to become a platform for preserving and communicating important cultural messages. Through this design, I envision a future where jewelry is not just an ornament but also a statement, representing identity, history, and resilience.
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